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Great MVP debate for Manning, Peterson

RB Peterson is Manning's toughest competition

By Mike Klis The Denver Post

Posted:
12/29/2012 10:02:14 PM MST

Updated:
12/29/2012 10:02:32 PM MST

ENGLEWOOD -- Inside Peyton Manning's new Denver-area home, it would not be presumptuous if he stood in front of his trophy case and took a long, hard look, just to come up with some ideas. There would be nothing wrong if he brought out a tape measure and started casing the joint. He probably shouldn't clear an open spot just yet, not that he would dare.

While there is a decent chance that Manning will have to rearrange for a record fifth NFL most valuable player award, the honor in many voters' minds won't be determined until after the league's final regular-season games are played today.

As it should be.

The Denver Post contacted 18 of the 50 voters for the MVP award and received only three answers as to who will win:

1. Manning, the Broncos' quarterback, nine votes. 2. Adrian "All Day" Peterson, the Minnesota Vikings' running back, three votes. 3. Wait to see how Peterson and Vikings do in their game today against the Green Bay Packers, six votes.

Among prominent national football writers who don't have a MVP vote, the survey was even closer, with five stating they would vote for Peterson and four preferring Manning.

No other player was mentioned, other than as the third choice behind Manning and Peterson. Even with the inspired play of quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady and rookie Robert Griffin III, this truly is a two-player race between established superstars who have made remarkable comebacks from injuries.

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"I'm torn between Peyton and AD," said one voter, who requested anonymity. "If the Vikings make the playoffs and AD hits 2,000 yards, I'm probably going to vote for him. Manning has a better supporting cast than AD. If the Vikings fall short, Manning will probably get the nod."

If the Vikings defeat Green Bay today, they're in the playoffs as an NFC wild card. And if Peterson gains at least 102 yards in victory to reach the coveted 2,000-yard milestone, he may generate enough late-season momentum to edge Manning, who has been the MVP front-runner since the Broncos' remarkable comeback from a 24-0 halftime deficit at San Diego in Week 6.

"If the Vikings get in the playoffs, regardless if Peterson breaks (Eric) Dickerson's record, I'm inclined to throw my whole vote to Peterson because of what he has done for a Vikings team that no one expected to make the postseason," said Brian Allee-Walsh, who covers the NFL for The Advocate of Baton Rouge, La. "With regard to Manning, he is who he is, and while he has come back from a serious neck injury and played brilliantly, he had a much better team around him than did Peterson. But again, in my mind, it alldepends if the Vikes get in or not."

The general feeling is if the Vikings don't make the playoffs, how "valuable" could Peterson have been? If the Vikings lose to the Packers and the Chicago Bears beat the Detroit Lions, Minnesota would not advance to the postseason.

This is not to say that even if everything breaks Peterson's way in the finale, Manning can't still be the MVP. Peterson needs the playoffs and 2,000 yards to make it close. Without those two virtues, Manning might win decisively.

"We knew it was a matter of when Adrian Peterson was going to come back. It was a matter of if and how well Peyton Manning was going to come back," said one voter. "More, he's returned from a career-threatening injury to play at a transformative level. Adrian is playing better than ever and has the Vikings in the playoff mix. He returned sooner and better, but in the same system.

"Peyton changed the Broncos' culture, raising the level of an entire franchise to a real-deal Super Bowl contender more than a year removed from what some assumed was his last snap. The reason behind the NFL's hottest team is a four-time MVP playing like a five-timer."

An argument against Peterson can be made through the Kansas City Chiefs, Denver's opponent today. The Chiefs have a star running back, Jamaal Charles, who isn't quite as dominant as Peterson, but is pretty close in terms of talent.

It can be argued that Charles has a chance to set the more hallowed of records today. Peterson needs 208 yards to break the NFL season rushing record of 2,105 set by Dickerson in 1984. Charles needs only five carries against the Broncos to qualify for NFL career rushing records.

Jim Brown set a career mark by averaging 5.22 yards per carry. Charles has averaged 5.82 yards per carry in his career.

Brown's career ended after the 1965 season -- 19 years before Dickerson set his record. Yet, despite Charles' accomplishments -- like Peterson, he returned from a torn anterior cruciate ligament to have a sensational season with 1,456 yards -- the Chiefs are only 2-13.

"It's a quarterback's league," said one voter.

"Peterson could rush for 400 yards Sunday and I might change my mind," said another voter. "But I doubt it."

Should Broncos fans root for the Packers to beat Peterson's Vikings? Maybe, except it would give Green Bay the NFC's No. 2 playoff seed, which might ease the Packers' trek to New Orleans, which might mean Manning having to outduel Rodgers for a second Super Bowl MVP award.

That's just it about awards for a guy like Manning. After a while, it's hard to keep them straight.

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